Sentimental Play Dates

Source: luxefinds.com via Grace on Pinterest

 

 

Sawyer & Zoe
January 2013

Yesterday the kids and I had a play date with some friends!  These kids have literally been friends since birth!  Cassie and I were pregnant together the summer of 2010.  We have some great memories!

And then it hit me.

Where did my baby go?

I sat there watching them as they got comfortable for their movie and realized I was staring at a little boy and a little girl.  They weren't babies anymore, but little toddlers.

All of a sudden the previous conversations Cassie and I had about tantrums, the Terrible Twos, and stubbornness melted away.  All I wanted to do was scoop up my three little ones and hold them tight and never let go, hoping that would help them stay the size they are at this very moment.

Later in the evening I got to talking to Paul about how busy our marriage has been so far!  We will be celebrating our 5th anniversary and we have had something big happen every. single. year.  I feel like I have yet had a chance to just sit down with him because we live such a busy life.

I got to looking at my handsome husband, and then saw myself in the mirror, and realized we don't look the same as we did when we were first together.  Are those the beginning of crow's feet I see around my eyes?  Life is constantly changing -- it stops for no one!

How many times have we missed the best things because we have have had our eyes closed?  Too many times I'd say.

I don't think the world will come to a crashing halt if I stop to smell the roses instead of wash dirty dishes.. just a thought..

Life is too short.  I don't want to miss out on a thing!

Affection

I love affection.

It means the world to me when Paul grabs for my hand, kisses my head, or simply puts his arm around me.

Affection is something I crave!

I also love being affectionate to my kids.

We snuggle up together and I shower them both with kisses.

It makes me feel so good to see my kids be affectionate to one another.

How beautiful are these pictures?

I pray everyday that God will help me to show my children love.

I want my children to love Jesus with their whole heart.

I want my children to love their parents with their whole heart.

I want my children to love each other with their whole heart.

I want my children to love others as much as they love themselves.

Who is going to teach them?  I am.  They will learn it from their parents.

Have a wonderful weekend!  Hug your kids!

Blessed.

It is such a blessing to watch my babies interract with each other.  They love each other so much, and already are so protective of one another.  I'm so thankful I was able to capture this loving hug from big sister.  It melts my heart!

I hope and pray they always love each other the way they do now.  I hope they always have a bond that cannot be broken by anyone or anything.  I hope and pray they stand up for one another, and never let the other feel unloved or unwanted.

It makes me wish my own siblings lived closer.  I would love to spend time with my brothers and sisters today!

The secret is revealed:

Tuesday morning:

Thank you Jesus!  I can finally breathe again!  What a second.. ::hurl::  Uh oh..

I guess traded my cold for a completely new sickness.  It will last for about nine months.  Yep, Paul and I are expecting baby #2 -- ALREADY!!

I think a lot of people are shocked about this little surprise.  Most have asked if I'm happy, and because I am, they are happy too.  Paul and I are ecstatic!  Yes, these kids will be about 14 months apart, but you can't deny that they will be the best of friends.  I came from a family who had a new baby in the house almost every year it seemed and it was always exciting!  We are slightly hoping for another girl because we have some great names picked out, but if God chooses to bless us with a son I will be so thrilled.  Just think, a little boy to follow in his dad's footsteps!  I would love that.

My first doctor's appointment is next month and then we'll know more about what's going on.  All I know is that I'm sick as a dog and want to sleep all. the. time.  Cleaning around the house is difficult because every other minute I'm dry heaving over something pathetic.  That's the part I really don't look forward to experiencing for 9 months..

Yellow blanket

Do you remember a certain blanket or stuffed animal that meant a lot to you when you were a child?  I think most of us had something special when we were little..  I had a wild haired doll that I named Sally.  I also had a patchwork doll I named Sue.  For my husband, it was yellow blanket.

I love to think about the Toy Story movies or even The Brave Little Toaster.  How special certain things like blankets or toys are to kids and then they grow up and leave them behind.. or, for my husband, they disappear and end up in a doghouse years later after he's older.  Crazy story!  Even though Yellow Blanket was old and tattered, Paul took it out of the doghouse and brought it back home and stuffed it in a box to disappear again.

I always heard about Yellow Blanket and how special it was to Paul when he was a baby.  I figured I would finally get to see what that thing would look like after we got married and moved in together.  After unpacking every single box I was disappointed..  I think Paul was too, because he lost Yellow Blanket- again.  Not that he needed it, but it would have been nice to have.  I wonder if he wished to have it for his future children.. ?  Or do men even think like that?

For those of you who do not know Paul's father.. he is constantly cleaning and organizing.  He has a monthly load of things he sends to Sally's (Salvation Army) that the family secretly peek through to make sure he doesn't throw out anything that has sentimental value.

Well, the other night we were hanging out and Kirby was clanging around in the basement as usual.  We didn't think much of it since he always is down there rearranging and organizing.  Well, out of nowhere Kirby walks into the living room and throws something at Paul.  

Whaddya know- it's Yellow Blanket!  Paul was pretty excited to have it back.  You know why? 

Yellow Blanket's new best friend

This beautiful little girl needed her daddy's Yellow Blanket.  After giving Yellow Blanket a good washing we gave it to Zoe.  She immediately tried eating it and snuggled her face into it.  Even though Yellow Blanket is faded and a little tattered, Zoe loves it so much.. just like her daddy did when he was little.

To some this post may be cheesy, but not to me.  In my eyes this blanket is carrying a lot of sentimental value and it means a lot to Paul to pass something special of his to his very own daughter.  I cherish this picture.  I think I will even frame it.

Wordless Wednesday: First smile

She LOVES her Dad!

Crazy kid.

My daughter is amazing.  I will lull her to sleep with sweet lullabies and wait till I know she is totally asleep.  Then, I will slowly pick up my magazine.. open it up.. and then she wakes up and starts crying.

She does. not. like. magazines.

How does a baby not like magazines yet?  She's only 5 weeks and 5 days old!

Because somewhere deep inside her she knows I'm not paying attention to her.

Oh well..

This isn't the best quality picture, but here is Zoe with her new bestie Sawyer!  He was only born a few days ago.  We are so excited to watch these two grow up together!

I had no idea how chunky Zoe was until we held her up against Sawyer.  Look at my little chunk!  It's adorable though, don't you think?